LATEST: Rapper Beanie Sigel has been denied bail by a Philadelphia court and will remain in custody for allegedly violating federal gun laws.

Despite his friend Jay-Z taking the stand and pleading his case, a judge yesterday (14JUL03) refused to let the star out of police care.

Sigel's lawyer FORTUNATO PERRI says, "Obviously we're disappointed by the court's ruling but we will continue to fight."

Sigel, real name DWIGHT GRANT, was also in court yesterday for a separate attempted murder case.

Agents from the FEDERAL BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS arrested Beanie on Wednesday (9JUL03) in Philadelphia. He was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, stemming from a 20 April (03) arrest on gun charges.

His added time in custody means the rapper will miss the rest of ROC-A-FELLA RECORDS' ROCK THE MIC TOUR.

15/07/2003 02:19